John Byng

John Byng (29 October 1704-14 March 1757) was an Admiral of the Royal Navy of Great Britain during the War of the Quadruple Alliance and the Seven Years' War. Byng was court-martialled and executed by firing squad in 1757 for failing to do his utmost to relieve the siege of Minorca at the start of the war in 1756.

Biography
John Byng was born on 29 October 1704 in Southhill, Bedfordshire, England, the son of Admiral George Byng. Byng joined the Royal Navy at the age of thirteen and fought at the Battle of Cape Passaro during the War of the Quadruple Alliance, and in 1721 he was made a Viscount at the age of 17 due to his distinguished service in the war. Byng became the Commodore-Governor of Newfoundland in 1742, and he was promoted to Vice-Admiral in 1747. At the start of the Seven Years' War in 1756, Byng was a full Admiral in the English Channel. Byng was dispatched to relieve the siege of Minorca at the start of the war, but he could not stop the Kingdom of France from conquering the island. Byng was tried and court-martialled for failing to do his utmost to prevent the fall of Minorca, and he was executed by firing squad on his own ship.